222 Views 1 Populality November 2025

University of Rwanda Hosts Baobab Summit 2025 Watch Party

The University of Rwanda, through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR, hosted the Baobab Summit 2025 Watch Party, which served as an extension of the main Summit that took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 17th – 19th October 2025.

The Baobab Summit is an annual gathering that brings together Scholars and alumni from across the continent to share ideas, celebrate achievements, and explore solutions for Africa’s transformation.

For Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Rwanda and other universities with the same Scholars Program in Rwanda, the Watch Party has been a moment of reflection, inspiration, and renewed commitment to lead with purpose.

“It’s my first time attending the Baobab Summit. I found it very important and inspiring. I realized that I am the one who must bring change to my community. I am the first in my family to attend university, and I will use this opportunity wisely to support my family and make a positive impact in my community,” said Clemence Ikitegetse, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Rwanda.

The Watch Party featured engaging discussions, video sessions from the Nairobi Summit, and reflections within the room where Scholars shared how resilience, leadership, and innovation resonate with their personal journeys. This was in line with this year’s Baobab summit theme “Baobab Rising: Nurturing the Future through Africa’s Youth.”

The theme highlights the resilience and promise of young Africans as leaders of change. It also reflects the Foundation’s commitment to enabling young people to thrive, shaping inclusive education and work systems, and advancing social and economic transformation across the continent.

“It’s a privilege to meet Scholars from different parts of Africa. My biggest takeaway is that your network is your net worth. Our stories may differ, but together we can make our communities better,” said Evans Wakesa, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar from the African Leadership University, who also attended the Baobab Summit at UR.

Since 2014, the Mastercard Foundation Baobab Summit has been a cornerstone of the Scholars Program. This annual gathering provided a unique platform for Scholars, alumni, and partners to celebrate achievements, share knowledge, and create opportunities for young people to connect with peers, mentors, and thought leaders.

“This kind of gathering brings Scholars together to network, share experiences, exchange innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, and reflect on their journeys , where they come from and how the Mastercard Foundation has helped them take steps toward becoming agents of transformation and innovation,” said Assoc. Prof. Celestin Ntivuguruzwa, Deputy Program Director, during the opening of the Watch Party.

“The 2025 Baobab Summit reaffirmed the importance of convening to foster deeper connections, accountability, and shared purpose across the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program community” Prof. Ntivuguruzwa added.

The Baobab Summit 2025 Watch Party brought together over 400 Scholars from the University of Rwanda and other partner universities with the same Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in Rwanda, including Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Kepler College, the University of Global Health Equity, and the African Leadership University.